226 W Colorado St 

La Grange , TX 78945

Historic name: Homuth Opera House (built c. 1885)

About This Property

In 1885, after his liquor/saloon business prospered, August E. Homuth built a new two-story brick structure. An iron front was chosen for aesthetic purposes and for fire safety reasons. It was shipped from the Pullis Brothers Company of St. Louis, Missouri. 

The “Iron Front Saloon” and billiard hall opened on the first floor in August 1885. A short time later, Homuth decided that the town needed a place to hold public entertainment. He 
began work on the second floor and converted it into a first-class opera house. 

The Iron Front Saloon remained in business until 1908 when the building was used to house a mercantile business. Shortly thereafter it became a saloon once again, followed by the La Grange Buick Company, and a grocery store which lasted nearly 60 years. 

The second story with its iron front still remains, but has been hidden for the past 40 years by a metal slipcover. In the early 1980s the building had been home to a clothing shop which prospered for nearly 30 years. Today, the Homuth Opera House is the location of a kitchen gourmet shop.

Total Building Size (sq ft):
Zoning: District B - Commercial
Current Historic Designations: • Not individually listed on the National Register
• Located in a National Register District (Contributing)
• Located in a Local District (Contributing)
• Not a Local Landmark
• Eligible for Historic Tax Credits

Nearby Businesses

Property Information
Zoning Uses Allowed General commercial uses, with design review required exterior alterations
Lot Size (acres) 0.1653
Parking Spaces
Electrical Service
Heating Type
Official Total Sq Ft
Total Commercial Units
Total Residential Units
Total Commerical Sq Ft 8,506
Total Residential Sq Ft
Year Built c. 1885
Last Remodel Date
Last Sale Date June 13th, 2013
Parcel Number 37498
Subdivision
Legal Description MOORE JOHN H (445) LOT FRC 143-150 BLK 19 0.1653 45 X 160 = 7,200 SFT, COMM - LE PETITE GOURMET SHOPPE
Located Within
  • National Register Historic District
  • Main Street District
  • DTTX Search Area

Survey Recommendations

Type
Stylistic Influences
Alterations/Additions
Survey Recommendations
Not Individually Eligible
Priority
Historic Resources Survey
Survey Date
Modification Type